Three-dimensional check image viewer and a method of handling check images in an image-based check processing system

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional check image viewer comprises a display device and a processing unit. The processing unit includes means for (i) displaying on the display device an image of a first check, and (ii) displaying on the display device an image of a second check such that the images appear three-dimensional relative to each other. An input device is provided for allowing an operator to manipulate the images such that any relative movement between the images on the display device appears three-dimensional to the operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to check processing systems, and isparticularly directed to a three-dimensional check image viewer and amethod of handling check images in an image-based check processingsystem.

In some known image-based check processing systems, an image of one sideof a check is displayed on a display device. An image of the other sideof the check may also be displayed on the display device. At the sametime, an image of either one of both sides of another check may also bedisplayed on the display device. An operator is usually able tomanipulate displayed check images in a number of different ways. Forexample, an image associated with one side of a particular check may be“rotated” and/or moved around on the display device relative to otherimages appearing on the display device. Also, the image associated withthe one side of the particular check may be “flipped” around such thatan image of the other side of the particular check is displayed on thedisplay device.

Although different images of a number of different checks may bedisplayed on a display device in known image-based check processingsystems, such displayed images are separate from each other as theyappear on the display device. The separate check images on the displaydevice are essentially presented in a two-dimensional manner for anoperator to view. A drawback in presenting separate check images in atwo-dimensional manner on a display device for an operator to view andmanipulate is that operators typically do not manipulate real worldphysical checks in a two-dimensional manner.

Operators in real world typically manipulate physical checks in athree-dimensional manner. Since operators manipulate physical checks ina three-dimensional manner in the real world, it would be desirable todisplay check images on a display device in a three-dimensional mannerso that the operator is able to manipulate such three-dimensional checkimages in the same way as manipulating physical checks in the realworld.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, athree-dimensional check image viewer comprises a display device and aprocessing unit. The processing unit includes means for (i) displayingon the display device an image of a first check, and (ii) displaying onthe display device an image of a second check such that the imagesappear three-dimensional relative to each other. An input device isprovided for allowing an operator to manipulate the images such that anyrelative movement between the images on the display device appearsthree-dimensional to the operator.

Preferably, the processing unit includes (i) circuitry which monitorsthe input device, and (ii) circuitry which provides output signals tothe display device. The input device includes a touch-sensitive inputdevice which overlies the display device. A program memory which storesinstructions of programs is provided for enabling the processing unit tomonitor signals from the touch-sensitive input device and to provideoutput signals to the display device in response to the signals from thetouch-sensitive input device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofhandling check images in an image-based check processing system having adisplay device and an input device comprises the steps of (a) displayingon the display device an image of a first check, and (b) displaying onthe display device an image of a second check such that the imagesappear three-dimensional relative to each other to allow an operator tomanipulate the images such that any relative movement between the imageson the display device appears three-dimensional to the operator. Thecheck image of the first check may overlie the check image of the secondcheck on the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates upon consideration of the following description of the inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block representation of an image-based checkprocessing system embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic block representation of a portion of theimage-based check processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an image display terminal used in theimage-based check processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken approximately along line 4—4 of FIG.3, showing a touch-sensitive input device overlying a display device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representation of the image display terminalof FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a number of check images displayed on thedisplay device of the image display terminal of FIGS. 3-5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIG. 6 and showing the check imagesof FIG. 6 in different positions;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting operation of the image display terminalof FIGS. 3-5 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and showing a number of differentcheck images displayed on the display device of the image displayterminal of FIGS. 3-5;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views similar to FIG. 10 and showing the checkimages of FIG. 10 in different positions;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and showing a number of differentcheck images displayed on the display device of the image displayterminal of FIGS. 3-5;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views similar to FIG. 13 and showing the checkimages of FIG. 13 in different positions.

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a three-dimensional check imageviewer and a method of handling check images in an image-based checkprocessing system. An image-based check processing system 10 embodyingthe present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The image-based checkprocessing system 10 comprises different types of workstations includinga document preparation workstation 12, an image capture workstation 14,a recognition workstation 16, a keying and balancing workstation 18, anencoding workstation 20, and a printing workstation 22. The imagecapture workstation 14 creates units of work and submits the createdwork to a workflow manager 30 in a known way. Each of the workstations16, 18, 20, 22 polls the workflow manager 30 in a known manner for workto perform, and may also create units of work which is submitted back tothe workflow manager 30.

At the document preparation workstation 12, transaction items includinga number of debit items and a number of credit items associated witheach transaction are prepared for further processing. Typicaltransaction items include checks, deposit slips, and adding machinetapes. Checks, deposit slips, and certain other transaction items areclassified as proof items. Adding machine tapes are classified asnon-proof items. Preparation of the transaction items may includeremoval of paper clips, staples, and the like, and stacking of the itemsin a particular order and/or direction in suitable trays. The trayscontaining the stacked items are then manually carted to the imagecapture workstation 14.

At the image capture workstation 14, the stacked items in the trays aremanually removed from the trays and placed onto an image lift transport(not shown) of the image capture workstation 14. If the item beingprocessed is an adding machine tape, then a tape scanner (not shown) ofknown design and construction captures an electronic image of the addingmachine tape and stores the image in a memory unit 32. If the item beingprocessed is a proof item such as a deposit slip, then the deposit slipis moved along a transport track of he image lift transport in front ofa front image lift camera and in front of a rear image lift camera (bothnot shown). The image lift camera optically scans each proof item as theproof item moves along the transport track in front of the cameras toproduce front-and rear electronic images of the proof item. These imagesare also stored in the memory unit 32. Other proof items (transactionbalancing slips, for example) are processed in the same manner.

If the item being processed is a proof item such as a check, thenelectronic images of the check are stored in the memory unit 32 alongwith a unique sequence number. If the check being processed contains aMICR codeline, the MICR codeline is read as the check passes by a MICRreader (not shown). Alternatively, if the check being processed containsan OCR codeline, the OCR codeline is read as the check passes by an OCRreader. For simplicity, it is assumed that the check being processedcontains a MICR codeline. The MICR codeline is associated with the frontand rear electronic images and is also stored in the memory unit 32.Suitable endorsement is printed onto the check as the check passes anendorser module (not shown). An endorsement status associated with thecheck is then stored in the memory unit 32 along with the otherinformation associated with the check. Also, the check is microfilmed asthe check passes a microfilmer (not shown). A microfilm statusassociated with the check is stored in the memory unit 32.

After the images of a check are lifted by the image lift cameras and theelectronic images, the sequence number, and the MICR codeline arecaptured, and the check is endorsed and microfilmed, the check is sortedinto an appropriate sorter pocket (not shown) of the image captureworkstation 14. Preferably, the image capture workstation 14 includesthe Model 7780 Item Processing System, manufactured by NCR Corporation,located in Dayton, Ohio. The sorted checks in each of the sorter pocketsare stacked in a respective tray. The trays are then manually carted tothe encoder workstation 20. The trays of checks are encoded in a knownmanner at the encoder workstation 20 while the electronic images, thesequence numbers, and the MICR codelines of the checks which wereearlier captured and stored in the memory unit 32 at the image captureworkstation 14 are processed by the recognition workstation 16 and thekeying and balancing workstation 18 in the manner described hereinbelow.An encoder status associated with the check is stored in the memory unit32.

At the recognition workstation 16, the electronic images of the checksstored in the memory unit 32 after being processed at the image captureworkstation 14 are processed using known recognition techniques todetermine the “amount” associated with each check. The amount of eachcheck is then associated with the corresponding electronic images andthe MICR codeline of the check and stored in the memory unit 32. Aone-to-one correspondence is thereby established between the electronicimages, the sequence number, the MICR codeline, the endorsement status,the encoder status, and the microfilm status of each check and theamount associated with that particular check. Accordingly, a databasecontaining electronic images, the sequence number, the MICR codeline,the endorsement status, the encoder status, the microfilm status, andthe amount associated with each check is thereby created and stored inthe memory unit 32.

It should be noted that some amounts will not be recognizable to therecognition workstation 16. Also, some amounts recognized at therecognition workstation 16 may have a low confidence level associatedtherewith. These items are identified and then processed further at thekeying and balancing workstation 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keying and balancing workstation 18 comprises anumber of applications including a codeline completion application 52,an amount entry application 54, and a balancing application 56. Each ofthe applications 52, 54, 56 communicates with the workflow manager 30and receives units of work to process from the workflow manager 30 inresponse to units of work being completed by the recognition workstation16.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the image-based check processing system 10further includes an image display terminal 40 associated with the keyingand balancing workstation 18. The image display terminal 40 includes aprocessing unit 41 which receives input signals on line 53 from akeyboard 42. The processing unit 41 and the memory unit 32 communicatewith each other on line 33. The processing unit 41 processes data fromthe memory unit 32 and provides output signals on line 57 to a userinterface unit 43 in response to this processed data and input signalson line 53 from the keyboard 42. The user interface unit 43 includes adisplay output device 45 (FIG. 5) and a touch-sensitive input device 46(FIG. 5) which, preferably, overlies the display device 45. The imagedisplay terminal 40 further includes a program memory 48 whichcommunicates on line 58 with the processing unit 41. As shown in FIG. 5,a main control program 62, a check image handling program 64, and adisplay driver 66 are stored in the program memory 48.

An operator at the image display terminal 40 associated with the keyingand balancing workstation 18 has a multiple number of applications fromwhich to select. The operator may select the codeline completionapplication 52 from an application selection menu (not shown) whichenables the operator to manually complete the MICR (magnetic inkcharacter recognition) codeline which identifies the particulartransaction document item. More specifically, the workflow manager 30establishes, in a known way, any items with either missing or rejectedMICR-related information. These items are displayed on the displaydevice 45 of the user interface unit 43 at the keying and balancingworkstation 18. The operator at the image display terminal 40 associatedwith the keying and balancing workstation 18 completes the codelines ofthe items identified as having either missing or rejected MICR-relatedinformation.

An operator at the image display terminal 40 associated with the keyingand balancing workstation 18 may also select the amount entryapplication 54 which enables the operator to manually complete theamount of the debit items and the credit items, as the case may be. Morespecifically, after the MICR codelines of all of the items havecompleted, the workflow manager 30 establishes, in a known way, anyitems with either missing, rejected, or low confidence amountinformation from the recognition workstation 16. These items aredisplayed on the display device 45 of the user interface unit 43 of theimage display terminal 40. The operator at the image display terminal 40associated with the keying and balancing workstation 18 completes theamount field of the items identified as having missing, rejected, or lowconfidence amounts.

An operator at the image display terminal 40 associated with the keyingand balancing workstation 18 may also select the balancing application56 which enables the operator to balance out-of-proof transactions. Morespecifically, after the amount fields of all of the items have beencompleted, the workflow manager 30 establishes, in a known way, anybatches of items containing transactions which are out-of-proof. It iscontemplated that more than one operator may be dedicated to thefunction of completing codelines of items at the keying and balancingworkstation 18. Also, more than one operator may be dedicated to thefunction of completing the amount fields of items at the keying andbalancing workstation 18. Similarly, more than one operator may bededicated to the function of balancing batches of items at the keyingand balancing workstation 18.

As an example, a typical system may include one codeline operator, fouramount keying operators, and two balancing operators. Each operatorprocesses a “batch” of transactions. Typically, a batch of transactionsincludes a number of different transactions. Although the foregoingdescribes a “batch” containing multiple transactions, it is contemplatedthat a “block” containing multiple batches may be processed in the samemanner. A block or a batch containing multiple transactions maysometimes be referred to as a “unit of work”.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the user interface unit 43 has a housing 44 inwhich the display device 45 and the touch-sensitive input device 46 aredisposed. As previously stated, the touch-sensitive input device 46preferably overlies the display device 45. The touch-sensitive inputdevice 46 may be of the type which uses capacitive current to provide anoutput signal indicative of the location at which the touch-sensitiveinput device 46 is being touched. The touch-sensitive input device 46provides signals on line 49 (shown only in FIG. 5) which are processedby known touch-screen control circuitry 50 before being provided assignals on line 52 to the processing unit 41. The touch-screen controlcircuitry 50 continually monitors the touch-sensitive input device 46for sensing any touching or “dragging” event which occurs on thetouch-sensitive input device 46.

With reference to FIG. 5, the processing unit 41 receives data on line33 from the memory unit 32, input signals on line 53 from the keyboard42, and input signals on line 52 from the touch-screen control circuitry46 and provides output signals on line 55 to display control circuitry56 in response thereto. Preferably, the processing unit 41 includes amicrocomputer 54 which communicates via signals on line 58 with theprogram memory 48. Suitable microcomputers and memories are readilyavailable in the marketplace. Their structure and operation are wellknown and, therefore, will not be described.

The microcomputer 54 processes input signals from the touch-sensitiveinput device 46 and the keyboard 42 in accordance with instructions ofthe main control program 62 and instructions of the check image handlingprogram 64. More specifically, the microcomputer 54 receives inputsignals on line 53 from the keyboard 22 and input signals on line 52from the touch-screen control circuitry 50, and processes these inputsignals in accordance with instructions of the main control program 62and the check image handling program 64. The microcomputer 54 thenprovides output signals on line 55 to display control circuitry 56 inaccordance with instructions of the display driver 66. The displaycontrol circuitry 56 in turn provides output signals on line 57 to thedisplay device 45 to be displayed. The structure and operation of thedisplay control circuitry 56 are well known and, therefore, will not bedescribed.

Referring again to FIG. 3, an image of a three-dimensional mode key 47(shown as “3D”) appears in the vicinity of the lower right comer of thedisplay device 45. When an operator desires to view check images in athree-dimensional manner in accordance with the present invention, theoperator first touches the “3D” key 47 to enter three-dimensionalviewing mode.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, to move a selected check image from oneposition to another position on the display device 45, a finger 38 of auser is placed on the touchsensitive input device 46 in the vicinity ofthe right edge of the check image. After the finger 38 is placed on thetouch-sensitive input device 46 at the initial location such as shown inFIG. 6, the finger 38 is moved to the left across the touch-sensitiveinput device 46 to another location on the touch-sensitive input device46 such as shown in FIG. 7. The finger 38 remains in contact with thetouch-sensitive input device 46 during movement of the finger 38 fromthe position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7.

As the finger 38 moves from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the positionshown in FIG. 7, the selected check image is “peeled” away from itsinitial position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7. As thefinger 38 continues to move from the position shown in FIG. 7 to theposition shown in FIG. 8, the selected check image continues to be“peeled” way from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown inFIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flowchart 100 depicts cooperation of the maincontrol program 62 and the check image handling program 64 to create thethree-dimensional check image viewer as just described hereinabove withreference to FIGS. 6-8. As shown in step 102 of FIG. 9, a determinationis made as to whether the right edge of the top check image, as shown inFIG. 6, is being touched. If the determination in step 102 is negative,the process returns to START. If the determination in step 102 isaffirmative, the process proceeds to step 104 in which a determinationis made as to whether the area being touched in step 102 is moving tothe left, as viewed looking at FIG. 6. If the determination in step 104is negative, the process returns to START. If the determination in step104 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106.

In step 106, more of the front side of the bottom check image is beingcontinuously exposed for the operator to view as the areas being touchedis moving to the left. As more of the front side of the bottom checkimage is being continuously exposed for the operator to view, more ofthe back side of the top check image is being continuously exposed forthe operator to view, as shown in step 108. A determination is made instep 110 as to whether the area being touched is still moving to theleft. If the determination in step 110 is affirmative, the process loopsback to repeat steps 106 and 108. However, if the determination in step110 is negative, the process proceeds to step 112.

In step 112, a determination is made as to whether the area beingtouched is moving to the right as viewed looking at FIGS. 6-8. If thedetermination in step 112 is negative, the process proceeds to step 114in which the image of the top check and the image of the bottom check,as exposed at that moment, is locked in place on the display device 45.The process then returns to START. However, if the determination in step112 is affirmative, the process proceeds to steps 116 and 118.

In steps 116 and 118, more of the front side of the bottom check imageis being continuously covered up the area being touched is moving to theright. As more of the front side of the bottom check image is beingcontinuously covered up, more of the back side of the top check image isbeing continuously covered up and more of the front side of the topcheck image is being continuously exposed for the operator to view. Theprocess then proceeds to step 120 in which a determination is made as towhether the area being touched has reached a rightmost limit. If thedetermination in step 120 is negative, the process returns back to step112 to determine if the area being touched is still moving to the right.If affirmative, steps 116 and 118 are repeated. However, if thedetermination in step 120 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step122 in which the entire front side of the top check image is locked inplace on the display device 45 for the operator to view.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, a variation of the check images shown in FIGS.6-8 is provided. FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 6 except that the finger 38is initially placed on the touch-sensitive input device 46 in thevicinity of the bottom edge of the top check image. After the finger 38is placed on the touch-sensitive input device 46 at the initial locationsuch as shown in FIG. 10, the finger 38 is moved upwards across thetouch-sensitive input device 46 to another location on thetouch-sensitive input device 46 such as shown in FIG. 11. The finger 38remains in contact with the touch-sensitive input device 46 duringmovement of the finger 38 from the position shown in FIG. 10 to theposition shown in FIG. 11.

As the finger 38 moves from the position shown in FIG. 10 to theposition shown in FIG. 11, the selected check image is “peeled” awayfrom its initial position shown in FIG. 10 to the position shown in FIG.11. As the finger 38 continues to move from the position shown in FIG.11 to the position shown in FIG. 12, the selected check image continuesto be “peeled” away from the position shown in FIG. 11 to the positionshown in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15, another variation of the check images shown inFIGS. 6-8 is provided. FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 6 except that thefinger 38 is initially placed on the touch-sensitive input device 46 inthe vicinity of the bottom right corner of the top check image. Afterthe finger 38 is placed on the touch-sensitive input device 46 at theinitial location such as shown in FIG. 13, the finger 38 is moveddiagonally across the touch-sensitive input device 46 to anotherlocation on the touch-sensitive input device 46 such as shown in FIG.12. The finger 38 remains in contact with the touch-sensitive inputdevice 46 during movement of the finger 38 from the position shown inFIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG. 14.

As the finger 38 moves from the position shown in FIG. 13 to theposition shown in FIG. 14, the selected check image is “peeled” awayfrom its initial position shown in FIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG.14. As the finger 38 continues to move from the position shown in FIG.14 to the position shown in FIG. 15, the selected check image continuesto be “peeled” away from the position shown in FIG. 14 to the positionshown in FIG. 15.

A number of advantages result by providing a three-dimensional checkviewer in accordance with the present invention. One advantage is thatthe three-dimensional check image viewer provides an operator of animage-based check processing system with a real world appearance ofimages of a plurality of checks. The three-dimensional check imageviewer functions as a completely natural interface to the operator andallows the operator to manipulate check images as simple, naturalobjects. The operator is also able to manipulate virtual “stacks” ofcheck images in the same way as manipulating stacks of checks in thereal world using one's hands.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art towhich the present invention relates will perceive improvements, changesand modifications. Numerous substitutions and modifications can beundertaken without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skillof the art to which the present invention relates are intended to becovered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image-based check processing systemcomprising: an image capture workstation for capturing image data whichis representative of images of checks; a recognition workstation forprocessing images of checks which have been captured at the imagecapture workstation to determine the amounts of the checks; a keying andbalancing workstation including at least one application program forprocessing images of checks which have been processed by the recognitionworkstation; a display device associated with the keying and balancingworkstation and for displaying an image of a virtual stack of unboundchecks being processed at the keying and balancing workstation andimages of checks contained in the virtual stack of unbound checks; atouch-sensitive input device adjacent to the display device; and meansfor enabling a user to touch a first location on the touch-sensitiveinput device corresponding to at least a portion of a frontside image ofa first check on the virtual stack of unbound checks and then to move toa second location which is different from and away from the firstlocation on the touch-sensitive input to peel the frontside image of thefirst check on the virtual stack of unbound checks away from the imageof the virtual stack of unbound checks to allow the user to view on thedisplay device a backside image of the first check and a frontside imageof a second check on the virtual stack of unbound checks as the usermoves from the first location on the touch-sensitive input device to thesecond location on the touch-sensitive input device.
 2. An image-basedcheck processing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneapplication program includes at least one of a codeline completionapplication, an amount entry application, and a balancing application.3. An image-based check processing system according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one application program includes a codeline completionapplication, an amount entry application, and a balancing application.4. A method of operating an image-based check processing system, themethod comprising the steps of: capturing images of checks; determiningthe amounts of the checks based upon the captured images of the checks;displaying on a display device an image of a virtual stack of unboundchecks and images of checks contained in the virtual stack of unboundchecks whose amounts have been undetermined; and peeling the image ofthe check on top of the virtual stack of unbound checks away from theimage of the virtual stack of unbound checks when a user touches a firstlocation on a touch-sensitive input device corresponding to at least aportion of a frontside image of a first check on the virtual stack ofunbound checks and then moves to a second location which is differentfrom and away from the first location on the touch-sensitive inputdevice to allow the user to view on the display device a backside imageof the first check and a frontside image of a second check on thevirtual stack of unbound checks as the user moves from the firstlocation on the touch-sensitive input device to the second location onthe touch-sensitive input device.
 5. An image-based check processingsystem comprising: a keying and balancing workstation including at leastone of a number of application programs selectable by a user to processimages of checks, the number of application programs including acodeline completion application, an amount entry application, and abalancing application; a display device associated with the keying andbalancing workstation and for displaying images of checks beingprocessed at the keying and balancing workstation; and means forenabling a user to peel a frontside image of a first check beingprocessed at the keying and balancing workstation away from a frontsideimage of a second check being processed at the keying and balancingworkstation such that the user can view on the display device a backsideimage of the first check and the frontside image of the second check asthe user peels the frontside image of the first check away from thefrontside image of the second check.
 6. An image-based check processingsystem comprising: a keying and balancing workstation including a numberof application programs selectable by a user to process images ofchecks, the number of application programs including a codelinecompletion application, an amount entry application, and a balancingapplication; a display device associated with the keying and balancingworkstation and for displaying images of checks being processed at thekeying and balancing workstation; and means for enabling a user to peela frontside image of a first check being processed at the keying andbalancing workstation away from a frontside image of a second checkbeing processed at the keying and balancing workstation such that theuser can view on the display device a backside image of the first checkand the frontside image of the second check as the user peels thefrontside image of the first check away from the frontside image of thesecond check.